By Ricardo Lezama 
The bar is low now for presidential and most senior elected officials. While stringing together a coherent set of sentences is desirable, there is also a need for them to be based on fact. During today’s nationally televised debate, Kamala Harris was able to articulate a fairly straightforward vision of her plans for when she’s in office. Trump, on the other hand, struggled to stay truthful as usual. Notably, he also struggled to stay on the usual blustering offense that has so enamored and ingratiated him with the vast majority of the population.
The Debate
This Philadelphia event was seen as a crucial moment in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, has been passionately discussed across social media platforms.
Participants have voiced starkly contrasting opinions about the performances of both candidates. Many observers pointed to Harris’s strategy during the debate, emphasizing her prosecutor-like demeanor in handling Trump. Some praised her ability to confront him directly on various issues, highlighting a sense of assertiveness that they felt was lacking in President Biden’s previous debates with Trump. Additionally, the emotional triggers she employed seemed effective, leading some commentators to believe that Trump lost a few percentage points in potential support, but time will tell.
Trump says he met with Putin sometime after he left office. Was this known? pic.twitter.com/pKhokjPwVU
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 11, 2024
While a considerable number of viewers believed Trump emerged victorious, supporters claimed he maintained a focus on key issues without resorting to personal attacks, effectively showcasing his command over the topics discussed. They criticized the debate moderators for perceived bias, arguing they fact-checked Trump more rigorously than Harris, giving her a “free pass” on misleading statements. One telling issue is that Trump admitted that he saw Putin while he was out of office. This would be highly unusual since Putin is a known adversary of American imperial ambitions, which would automatically lead to a conflict in interest for Trump and his intention to be president. Nonetheless, even allies have reservations, like Senator Lindsey Graham who panned Trump’s theatre:
Just spoke with Lindsey Graham in the spin room he said the debate team
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) September 11, 2024
should be fired and Trump was unprepared. “disaster”
Interesting Tidbits Around Debate
Notably, the debate was accompanied by broader cultural reactions, including an endorsement from pop icon Taylor Swift for Harris, which some commentators saw as significant given Swift’s massive social media following. This endorsement, quick to follow the debate’s conclusion, added another layer to the discussions surrounding the candidates.
Many expressed disappointment in the debate itself, suggesting it failed to address pressing national issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict or the cryptocurrency economy. The viewing parties and public gatherings showcased varying levels of enthusiasm, reflecting a divided electorate. Curiously, while many individuals left of centre criticize Kamala’s overall vision around the genocide of Palestine, there is something to be said about Trump’s own brand of warmongering. On Trump’s campaign website, there is allusion to all kinds of Israeli army talking points about Palestinians receiving aide and using this for the October 7 offensive by Hamas. Thus, it would appear Trump has the more extreme view of the issue, at least, in terms of favoring Israel.
The Harris-Biden reversal of President Trump’s decision to cut Palestinian aid — which often flows right into the hands of terrorists — enabled the worst attack on Israel in decades. Now, Kamala has sacrificed America’s greatest ally simply to maintain support from her antisemitic base.
– Trump website.
As the debate rhetoric continues to echo in discussions about the election, both Harris and Trump are seen as needing to refine their strategies in anticipation of possible future debates. Harris has been encouraged to avoid another matchup if it offers Trump an advantage, while Trump’s supporters are eager for him to engage in a more favorable environment, hinting at a desired shift away from “liberal media” platforms for any upcoming encounters. It’s unclear why ABC is deemed a liberal platform as it has usually broadcast itself as centrist or centre right relative to global standards.
These dynamics underscore the contentious nature of the 2024 presidential race, with both parties rallying supporters and strategizing for the upcoming months. Each candidate’s availability for further debates remains a point of debate itself, with Harris currently expressing interest in more direct engagements, provided conditions are balanced.